System and apparatus for see-through display panels

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of the present invention provide for systems and apparatus directed toward using a contact lens and deflection optics to process display information and non-display information. In one embodiment of the invention, a display panel assembly is provided, comprising: a transparent substrate that permits light to pass through substantially undistorted; a reflector disposed on the transparent substrate; and a display panel aimed toward the reflector and substantially away from a human visual system, wherein the reflector reflects light emitted from the display panel toward the human visual system. The reflector may comprise a narrow band reflector or a polarization reflector.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of and claims the benefit of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/555,164 filed Nov. 26, 2014, which is adivisional of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/756,984 filed Apr. 8, 2010 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,922,897 onDec. 30, 2014, which is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefitof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/204,567 filed Sep. 4, 2008 andissued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,520,309 on Aug. 27, 2013, all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to optics and, more specifically, isdirected toward optical processing of display information andnon-display information using display panels and a dual path contactlens.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Current systems for optical processing of display information providedby a head-mounted display and non-display information provided byobjects other than the head-mounted display may have characteristicsthat make them unattractive solutions for some applications. The twinrequirements of a large field of view and a comfortable eye-to-systemdistance for the viewer results in multi-component optical systems wherethe final optical component has a large diameter. Such systems tend tobe large, bulky and ill suited for applications where little space isavailable for processing the display information and the non-displayinformation. For example, such systems are unattractive solutions forprocessing display and non-display information in a fighter pilot'shelmet where the space for the optical system is limited.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems andapparatus directed toward using a display panel to process displayinformation and non-display information. Further embodiments utilize adisplay panel in conjunction with a contact lens assembly configured toprocess the display information.

In one embodiment of the invention, a display panel assembly isprovided, comprising: a transparent substrate that permits light to passthrough substantially undistorted; a reflector disposed on thetransparent substrate; and a display panel aimed toward the reflectorand substantially away from a human visual system, wherein the reflectorreflects light emitted from the display panel toward the human visualsystem. The reflector may be a narrow band reflector or a polarizationreflector. Additionally, the display panel assembly may further comprisea bandpass filter positioned adjacent to the display panel, wherein thebandpass filter limits bandwidths of light emitted from the displaypanel toward the narrow band reflector such that substantially no lightpasses through the narrow band reflector. The display panel may furthercomprise a polarization filter positioned adjacent to the display panel,wherein the polarization filter limits the polarity of light emittedfrom the display panel toward the polarization reflector such thatsubstantially no light passes through the first polarization reflector.

In some embodiments, the display panel further comprises a firstpolarization filter positioned adjacent to the transparent substrate ona side facing opposite the human visual system and a second polarizationfilter positioned adjacent to the display panel, wherein the secondpolarization filter limits the polarity of light emitted from thedisplay panel toward the narrow band reflector and the firstpolarization filter such that substantially no light passes through thefirst polarization filter.

According to another embodiment, a display panel assembly is provided,comprising: an electro-luminescent display that is transparent; a liquidcrystal display that is transparent and segmented, wherein the liquidcrystal display is mounted to the electro-luminescent display such thata segment of the liquid crystal display is substantially aligned withone or more pixels within the electro-luminescent display; and a controlmechanism that varies a liquid crystal pixel gray level for the segmentin order to modify an amount of ambient light passed through theelectro-luminescent display. Depending on the embodiment, theelectro-luminescent display may be an organic light emitting diodedisplay.

In some embodiments, an algorithm modifies the liquid crystal pixel graylevel based on a content of the electro-luminescent display. In otherembodiments, an algorithm modifies the liquid crystal pixel gray levelbased on a brightness of the one or more pixels within theelectro-luminescent display. In further embodiments, an algorithmmodifies the liquid crystal pixel gray level based on a color of the oneor more pixels within the electro-luminescent display. In additionalembodiments, an algorithm modifies the liquid crystal pixel gray levelbased on a gaze angle of an eye of a viewer. In yet further embodiments,an algorithm modifies the liquid crystal pixel gray level based on timeperiods.

According to an additional embodiment, a display system is provided,comprising: a display assembly disposed on a head-borne apparatus,wherein the display assembly is positioned in close proximity to an eyeof a viewer such that the eye is unable to focus on the display assemblyunassisted, and the display assembly comprises a transparent displaypanel having pixels configured without focusing optics, thereby allowinglight emitted by the pixels to diverge unfocused; and a contact lenshaving focusing optics that assists the eye in focusing on light emittedby the pixels of the transparent display panel.

According to another embodiment, a display panel assembly is provided,comprising: transparent display panel having a viewable side, thetransparent display panel comprising a display pixel; a polarizeraffixed to the viewable side; a transparent pixelated liquid crystalarray affixed to the polarizer, the transparent pixelated liquid crystalarray comprising at least one liquid crystal pixel that substantiallyaligns to the display pixel; and a control mechanism configured toelectrically control the transparent display and the transparentpixelated liquid crystal array, wherein in a first time period, thecontrol mechanism sets the display pixel to a predetermined brightnesslevel and sets the liquid crystal pixel to a first orientation at everylocation where a display pixel is set to at least partially illuminated,and in a second time period, the control mechanism sets the displaypixel to emit no light and sets the liquid crystal pixel to a secondorientation.

In yet another embodiment, a display panel assembly is provided,comprising: a transparent electroluminescent panel having a firstelectroluminescent panel side and second electroluminescent panel side;a first transparent pixelated liquid crystal array having a first arrayside and a second array side, wherein a polarizer is affixed to both thefirst and second array sides, and the second array side with thepolarizer is affixed to the first electroluminescent panel side, and; afirst transparent liquid crystal shutter panel having a first shutterpanel side and a second shutter panel side, wherein the second shutterpanel side is affixed to the first array side; and a first controlmechanism configured to electrically control the transparentelectroluminescent panel, the first transparent pixelated liquid crystalarray, and first transparent liquid crystal shutter panel, wherein in afirst time period, the control mechanism sets the first transparentliquid crystal shutter to a first polarization orientation and sets thefirst transparent pixelated liquid crystal array to a first gray levelorientation proper for forming a desired image, and in a second timeperiod, the control mechanism turns off the transparentelectroluminescent panel and sets the first transparent liquid crystalshutter panel to a second polarization orientation.

In some such embodiments, the display panel assembly further comprises:a second transparent liquid crystal shutter panel affixed to the secondelectroluminescent panel side, wherein a polarizer is affixed to bothsides of the second transparent liquid crystal shutter panel; and asecond control mechanism configured to electrically control the secondtransparent liquid crystal shutter panel, wherein in a third timeperiod, the second transparent liquid crystal shutter panel is set toblock light from transmitting, and in a fourth time period, the secondtransparent liquid crystal shutter panel is set to allow light totransmit. In other such embodiments, the display panel assembly furthercomprises: a second transparent pixelated liquid crystal array affixedto the second electroluminescent panel side, wherein a polarizer isaffixed to both sides of the second transparent pixelated liquid crystalarray; and a second control mechanism configured to electrically controlthe second transparent pixelated liquid crystal array, wherein in athird time period, the second transparent pixelated liquid crystal arrayis set to a second gray level orientation proper for forming a seconddesired image, and in a fourth time period, the second transparentpixelated liquid crystal array is set to allow light to transmit.

In some embodiments, the transparent electroluminescent panel maycomprise a multi-color array that substantially aligns to pixels in thefirst transparent pixelated liquid crystal array, or a plurality ofcolored transparent electroluminescent panels, and the first time periodcomprises a plurality of sub-periods such that: each colored transparentelectroluminescent panel is of a different color, each coloredtransparent display is is turned on during a different sub-period, andthe first transparent liquid crystal shutter panel is set to a differentorientation during each sub-period.

Accord to a further embodiment, a display panel assembly provided,comprising: a transparent substrate having a semi-reflective surfacethat reflects light in multiple directions; a transparent cover bondedto the semi-reflective surface using an adhesive having a refractioncoefficient similar to that of the transparent substrate; and an imageprojector configured to project an image onto the semi-reflectivesurface. The semi-reflective in such an embodiment surface may be anarrow spectral band reflector. In some such embodiments, the imageprojector comprises a narrow spectral band filter configured to projectlight that is narrower in wavelength than light reflected from thenarrow spectral band reflector. Additionally, the semi-reflectivesurface may be a polarization reflector that reflects light of a firstpolarization and passes light of a second polarization. In some suchembodiment, the image projector comprises a polarization filterconfigured to project light of a first polarization.

According to another embodiment, a display panel assembly is provided,comprising: a transparent substrate having a semi-reflective surfacethat reflects light in multiple directions; a transparent cover bondedto the semi-reflective surface using an adhesive, wherein the adhesivehas a refraction coefficient similar to that of the transparentsubstrate; a polarizer affixed to the transparent cover; a liquidcrystal pixel array affixed to the polarizer; and a polarizedillumination source having a first polarization orientation, wherein thepolarized illumination source illuminates the semi-reflective surfacethrough the liquid crystal pixel array. The semi-reflective surface insome such embodiments may be a narrow spectral band reflector.

According to an additional embodiment, a display panel assembly isprovided, comprising: a transparent substrate having a semi-reflectivesurface that reflects light in multiple directions; a transparent coverbonded to the semi-reflective surface using an adhesive, wherein theadhesive has a refraction coefficient similar to that of the transparentsubstrate; a light spreading relay configured to relay in a uniformmanner light entering from a first relay side onto the semi-reflectivesurface; a liquid crystal pixel array affixed nearer the viewer apolarizer affixed to the liquid crystal pixel array nearest the viewer;and a polarized illumination source having a first polarizationorientation, wherein the polarized illumination source illuminates thesemi-reflective surface through the light spreading relay. In some suchembodiments, a second polarizer is affixed to the transparent substrateand has a second polarization orientation. In other such embodiments,the semi-reflective surface is a narrow spectral band reflector.

Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the featuresin accordance with embodiments of the invention. The summary is notintended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined solely bythe claims attached hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention, in accordance with one or more variousembodiments, is described in detail with reference to the followingfigures. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only andmerely depict typical or example embodiments of the invention. Thesedrawings are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding of theinvention and shall not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, orapplicability of the invention. It should be noted that for clarity andease of illustration these drawings are not necessarily made to scale.

Some of the figures included herein illustrate various embodiments ofthe invention from different viewing angles. Although the accompanyingdescriptive text may refer to such views as “top,” “bottom” or “side”views, such references are merely descriptive and do not imply orrequire that the invention be implemented or used in a particularspatial orientation unless explicitly stated otherwise.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of an example apparatus to receive andprocess display information and non-display information in accordancewith some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram of the example apparatus (shown in FIG. 1A)coupled to a human visual system in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 1C is a block diagram of an example apparatus including theapparatus (shown in FIG. 1A), and further including a display to providethe display in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1D is a block diagram of an example apparatus including theapparatus (shown in FIG. 1A), wherein at least one of the one or morefilters (shown in FIG. 1A) includes a non-display path notch filter or anon-display path polarizing filter and further including the display(shown in FIG. 1C) to provide the display information (shown in FIG. 1A)in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1E is a block diagram of an example apparatus including theapparatus (shown in FIG. 1A), wherein the one or more filters include anon-display path polarizing filter (shown in FIG. 1D) and furtherincluding the display (shown in FIG. 1C) in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram of an example apparatus to receive andprocess the display information and the non-display information inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram of the example apparatus (shown in FIG. 2A)coupled to the human visual system (shown in FIG. 1B) in accordance withsome embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2C is a block diagram of an example apparatus including theapparatus (shown in FIG. 2A), and further including the display (shownin FIG. 1C) to provide the display information in accordance with someembodiments

FIG. 2D is a block diagram of an example apparatus including theapparatus (shown in FIG. 2A), wherein at least one of the one or morecontrollable optical materials includes a photochromic material or anelectrochromic material and further including the display (shown in FIG.1C) to provide the display information and one or more optical materialactivation signals in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is an example apparatus including a substrate including anoptical path having one or more zone plates to receive displayinformation and non-display information in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B (diametrical section of contact lens shown in 4A) areillustrations of an example contact lens including the displayinformation optical path and the non-display information optical path inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an example display optically coupled by thecontact lens to the human visual system to illustrate processingnon-display information using wavelength filters in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an example display optically coupled by thecontact lens to the human visual system to illustrate processing displayinformation using wavelength filters in accordance with some embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of an example display optically coupled by thecontact lens to the human visual system to illustrate processing tocombine non-display information and display information using wavelengthfilters in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of an example display optically coupled by thecontact lens to the human visual system to illustrate processingnon-display information using polarizing filters in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of an example display optically coupled by thecontact lens to the human visual system to illustrate processing displayinformation using polarizing filters in accordance with some embodimentsof the present invention.

FIGS. 10A and 10B (diametrical section of illustration shown in 10A) areillustrations of an example contact lens including one or more zoneplate filters in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of an example display optically coupled bythe contact lens to the human visual system to illustrate processingdisplay information and non-display information using the one or morezone plate filters in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of an example apparatus including asubstrate, a substantially transparent pixel unit, and an organic lightemitting diode unit in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of an example method including enabling anddisabling transmission of display information and transmission ofnon-display information in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram of an example method including polarizingdisplay and non-display information and illuminating a contact lens withthe polarized display and non-display information in accordance withsome embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an illustration of an example configuration of a contact lensand a display panel reflected off a narrow spectral band beam splitter,in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an illustration of an example configuration of a contact lensand a display panel reflected off a polarized beam splitter, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an illustration of an example configuration of a contact lensand display pixels in front of an LCD display panel, in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an illustration of an example configuration of a contact lensand an electroluminescent display panel that is polarized by an array ofLCD pixels, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an illustration of an example configuration of a contact lensand an LCD panel that is backlit by an electroluminescent panel, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is an illustration of an example configuration of a contact lensand an LCD panel that is backlit by an electroluminescent panel with asecond LCD panel, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 21 is an illustration of an example configuration of a contact lensand an image projected onto a partially reflective panel, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention:

FIG. 22 is an illustration of an example configuration of a contact lensand an LCD panel that is illuminated by light projected onto a partiallyreflective back panel, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 23 is an illustration of an example configuration of a contact lensand an LCD panel that is side-illuminated through a light spreader, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

The figures are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the inventionto the precise form disclosed. It should be understood that theinvention can be practiced with modification and alteration, and thatthe invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward systems and apparatus that usea display panel to provide display information and non-displayinformation to a human eye. In some embodiments, a display panel inaccordance with the present invention is configured to combine andprocess non-display information originating from the real worldenvironment, with display information emanating from the display panel.In further embodiments, the display panel in accordance with theinvention is used in conjunction with a contact lens to combine andprocess non-display information with display information. As will bedisclosed by the following description, depending on the embodiment, thedisplay panel of the invention may be positioned off-axis with respectto axial alignment of the human visual system (e.g., human eye) whichperceives images produced by the display panel (i.e., light raysemanating from the display panel).

The term human visual system as used in the following descriptionincludes the components of the human body that facilitate visionincluding, but not limited to, the cornea, the retina, the pupil, theiris, the eye lens, sclera, and the optic nerves.

The term substrate as used in the following description includes anymaterial or substance used to form an optical component such as acontact lens. The term zone plate includes an optical component thatfocuses light by diffraction. The term display information optical pathincludes the optical path traversed in a substrate by displayinformation. The term non-display information optical path includes theoptical path traversed in a substrate by non-display information. Forsome embodiments, non-display information may include what is perceivedin the real world by a human eye. The term optically coupled includestwo or more optical components connect by an optical path.

The term non-display information path optical power includes the opticalpower provided in a substrate for an optical signal passing through thenon-display information path. The term substantially zero power includesan optical power that has substantially no effect on an optical signal.The term normal power is the optical power necessary to providecorrection in an optical system, such as a human visual system, fordefects in the optical system. The term close power is the optical powernecessary to provide correction in an optical system, such as a humanvisual system, for viewing at a close distance.

The term electromagnetic radiation includes energy in the form oftransverse electric and magnetic waves. The term electromagneticradiation includes electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum.The term illuminating includes directing or transmitting electromagneticradiation to a target.

The term filter includes apparatus or methods for selectivelytransmitting electromagnetic radiation. The term characteristic featureincludes detectable traits, such as narrow bandwidth or polarization, bywhich signals can be distinguished.

The term notch filter includes a filter that blocks electromagneticradiation over a substantially continuous narrow band of frequencies.The term non-display path notch filter includes a notch filter includedin the non-display path of a substrate.

The term bandpass filter includes a filter that transmitselectromagnetic radiation over a substantially continuous but finiteband of frequencies. The term display path bandpass filter includes abandpass filter included in the display path of a substrate.

The term polarizing filter includes a filter that polarizeselectromagnetic radiation. The term display path polarizing filterincludes a polarizing filter included in the display information path ofa substrate. The term non-display path polarizing filter includes apolarizing filter included in the non-display information path of asubstrate. The term shutter includes a controllable polarizing filter.The term substantially opaque filter includes a filter that blocks allor nearly all of the information received by the filter.

The term display includes any apparatus capable of generatinginformation in the form of electromagnetic radiation. The term organiclight emitting diode display includes one or more light-emitting diodeswhose light emitting layer includes a film of one or more organiccompounds. The term display information includes information provided bya display.

The term controllable optical materials includes materials whose opticalproperties, such as opacity, can be controlled. The term photochromicmaterial includes materials whose optical properties can be controlledby an optical signal. The term electrochromic material includes anoptical material whose properties can be controlled by an electricalsignal. The term optical material activation signal includes signals tocontrol the optical properties of a controllable optical material.

The term a pattern of pixel sites includes the organization of pixelsites on a substrate. The term substantial transparent pixel unitincludes a portion of a display that transmits electromagnetic radiationgenerated outside the display. The term checkerboard pattern includes analternating pattern similar to the pattern of a checkerboard.

In some embodiments, as illustrated and described herein, informationprovided by a head-mounted display, referred to as display information,and information provided by objects other than the head-mounted display,referred to as non-display information, are received at a contact lensincluded in a human visual system. A head-mounted display may include anorganic light emitting diode display to provide the display information.The contact lens in combination with the human visual system providesimages of the display information and the non-display information to theretina of the human visual system. The display information may include,for example, text information, non-text information or other visualinformation. The non-display information may include, for example,landscape information, non-landscape information, and other visualinformation.

The contact lens includes a display information optical path and anon-display information optical path. The display information opticalpath provides a contact lens transmission path between the head-mounteddisplay and the human visual system for the display informationtransmitted by the head-mounted display. The display information opticalpath forms a substantially cylindrical central region of the contactlens. The display information optical path in the contact lens canprovide power to assist the human visual system in focusing objectspositioned close to the human lens.

The non-display information optical path provides a contact lenstransmission path between the source of the non-display information andthe human visual system for the non-display information. The non-displayinformation optical path forms a substantially annular ring surroundingthe cylindrical central region of the display information optical path.A filter is included in the non-display information optical path tosubstantially block display information from being transmitted throughthe non-display information optical path. The non-display informationoptical path in the contact lens may provide correction for defects,such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism in the humanvisual system.

The display information and the non-display information may be polarizedto different polarizations to provide for distinguishing between thedisplay information and the non-display information. Polarizing thedisplay information and the non-display information enables independentprocessing of the display information and non-display information at thecontact lens and enables tune-domain multiplexing in the transmission ofthe display information and the non-display information to the contactlens. The time-domain multiplexed display information and non-displayinformation when processed by the human visual system are perceived as asingle image. Further detailed description of these and otherembodiments is provided below.

FIG. 1A shows a block diagram of an apparatus 101 to receive and processdisplay information 103 and non-display information 105 in accordancewith some embodiments. The apparatus 101 includes a substrate 107including a display information optical path 109 to receive the displayinformation 103 and including a non-display information optical path 111to receive the non-display information 105. The display informationoptical path 109 includes a display information path optical power 113.The non-display information optical path 111 includes one or morefilters 115 and a non-display information path optical power 117.

The substrate 107 is not limited to being formed from a particularmaterial or combination of materials. Materials suitable for use informing optical components, such as lenses, may be used in forming thesubstrate 107. Exemplary materials suitable for use in forming thesubstrate 107 include gels, such as silicone hydrogels, glasses,plastics, and polymers, such as polymethyl methacrylate and polymacon.The substrate 107 is not limited to a particular type of opticalcomponent. In some embodiments, the substrate 107 includes a substrateor blank suitable for forming one lens, such as a contact lens. In someembodiments, the substrate 107 includes one or more optical componentsor lenses, such as focusing lenses, formed from one or more opticalmaterials. In some embodiments, the substrate 107 is formed from aflexible material conformable to the shape of a human cornea. In someembodiments, the substrate 107 is formed by filling a contact lens moldwith one or more liquid polymers.

The display information 103 includes electromagnetic radiation, such asvisible light, having at least one characteristic feature lacking in thenon-display electromagnetic radiation of the non-display information105. For example, in some embodiments, the display information 103includes electromagnetic radiation having a narrow spectral bandwidthwhile the non-display information 105 includes electromagnetic radiationhaving a broad spectral bandwidth. Narrow spectral bandwidth and broadspectral bandwidth are relative terms. In some embodiments, for twosignals, the signal having the narrower spectral bandwidth informationis the signal having a narrow spectral bandwidth and the signal havingthe broader spectral bandwidth information is the signal having a broadspectral bandwidth. In some embodiments, narrow spectral bandwidthinformation includes information having a bandwidth of between about afew nanometers and a few tens of nanometers. In some embodiments, broadspectral bandwidth information includes information having a bandwidthgreater than about a few tens of nanometers. Thus, the non-displayelectromagnetic radiation having a broad spectral bandwidth lacks thecharacteristic feature—narrow spectral bandwidth—included in the displayinformation 103.

As a second example, in some embodiments, the display information 103includes electromagnetic radiation having a display informationpolarization, such as right-handed circular polarization, and thenon-display information 105 includes unpolarized information. Thus, thenon-display information 105 including the non-display electromagneticradiation having the unpolarized information lacks the characteristicfeature—right handed circular polarization—included in the displayinformation 103.

The display information optical path 109 is included in the substrate107 and is formed from an optical material or combination of materials.The display information optical path 109 is not limited to being formedfrom a particular optical material or combination of materials.Materials suitable for use in forming the substrate 107 are suitable foruse in forming the display information optical path 109. The materialsused to form the display information optical path 109 may differ fromthe one or more materials used to form the substrate 107.

In operation, the display information optical path 109 receives andtransmits electromagnetic information, such as the display information103. When coupled to a human visual system (as shown in FIG. 1B), thedisplay information optical path 109 receives the display information103 and assists the human visual system to substantially focus thedisplay information 103 to a retina in the human visual system.

The non-display information optical path 111 is included in thesubstrate 107 and is formed from an optical material or combination ofmaterials. The non-display information optical path 111 is not limitedto being formed from a particular optical material or combination ofmaterials. Materials suitable for use in forming the substrate 107 aresuitable for use in forming the non-display information optical path111. The materials used to form the non-display information optical path111 may differ from the one or more materials used to form the substrate107.

In operation, the non-display information optical path 111 receives thenon-display information 105 and when coupled to a human visual system(as shown in FIG. 1B) substantially focuses the non-display information105 to a retina in the human visual system. The non-display information105 includes any information, such as visible objects, not included inthe display information 103. In some embodiments, the non-displayinformation 105 is provided from objects more distant from the humanvisual system than the source of the display information 103. Forexample, in some embodiments, the display information 103 is provided toa human visual system from a head-mounted display located between about5 millimeters and about 200 millimeters from the cornea, and thenon-display information 105 is provided to the human visual system froma source located at a distance of greater than about 200 millimetersfrom the cornea.

The one or more filters 115 included in the non-display informationoptical path 111 substantially block the display information 103 whilesubstantially transmitting the non-display information 105. Each of theone or more filters 115 is sensitive to a physical characteristic, suchas wavelength, frequency, or polarization, of the display information103. Thus, the one or more filters 115 may include any filter orcombination of filters or other optical components capable ofsubstantially blocking the display information 103 while substantiallytransmitting the non-display information 105.

Optical power is the degree to which a lens or mirror converges ordiverges light or electromagnetic radiation. A lens or mirror havingsubstantially zero optical power neither converges nor divergeselectromagnetic radiation. Normal power is the power necessary toprovide correction in an optical system, such as a human visual system,for defects in the optical system. For example, normal power includes apower to correct for nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism ina human visual system. In some embodiments, a normal power is betweenabout 0.25 and about 10 diopters.

Close power is the power necessary to provide correction in an opticalsystem, such as a human visual system, for viewing at a close distance.In a human visual system, a close distance is a distance of less thanabout 250 millimeters. For objects closer than about 250 millimeters,the human visual system cannot form a sharp image on the retina. Afocusing lens can provide close power to assist a human visual system inviewing objects at distances of less than about 250 millimeters. In someembodiments, the close power is between about 5 and about 200 diopters.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 101 includes combinations of opticalpowers. In some embodiments, the display information path optical power113 includes substantially zero power and the non-display informationpath optical power 117 includes substantially zero power. In otherembodiments, the display information path optical power 113 includessubstantially zero power and the non-display information path opticalpower 117 includes a normal power. In further embodiments, the displayinformation path optical power 113 includes a close power and thenon-display information path optical power 117 includes substantiallyzero power. In additional embodiments, the display information pathoptical power 113 includes a close power and the non-display informationpath optical power 117 includes normal power.

FIG. 18 shows a block diagram of the apparatus 101 (shown in FIG. 1A)coupled to a human visual system 131 in accordance with someembodiments. The apparatus 101 (dashed lines) includes the substrate 107including the display information optical path 109 to receive thedisplay information 103 and including the non-display informationoptical path 111 to receive the non-display information 105. The displayinformation optical path 109 includes the display information pathoptical power 113. The non-display information optical path 111 includesthe one or more filters 115 and the non-display information path opticalpower 117.

In some embodiments, the display information optical path 109 has anaperture 119. The aperture 119 may be sized to assist in focusing thedisplay information 103. In some embodiments, the aperture 119 is sizedto increase the depth of focus in the display information optical path109. In some embodiments, the aperture 119 has a diameter of about onemillimeter.

In operation, the display information optical path 109 and thenon-display information optical path 111 assist the human visual system131 in forming a focused image of the display information 103 and afocused image of the non-display information 105 on a retina 133. Thedisplay information optical path 109 in cooperation with the humanvisual system 131, including the human lens 134, substantially focusesthe display information 103 to the retina 133 to form retinal displayinformation image 135. The non-display information optical path 111 incooperation with the human visual system 131, including the human lens134, substantially focuses the non-display information 105 to the retina133 to form retinal non-display information image 137. At least one ofthe one or more filters 115 in the non-display information optical path111 substantially blocks the display information 103 from entering thehuman visual system 131 from the non-display information optical path111.

FIG. 1C shows a block diagram of an apparatus 141 including theapparatus 101 (shown in FIG. 1A), and further including a display 143 toprovide the display information 103 in accordance with some embodiments.The apparatus 101 (dashed lines) includes the substrate 107 includingthe display information optical path 109 to receive the displayinformation 103 and including the non-display information optical path111 to receive the non-display information 105. The display informationoptical path 109 includes the display information path optical power113. The non-display information optical path 111 includes the one ormore filters 115 and the non-display information path optical power 117.

In some embodiments, the display information 103 includes informationprovided by the display 143. The display 143 includes any device orsystem that provides information in the form of electromagneticradiation, such as visible light. For example, in some embodiments, thedisplay information 103 is provided by a device including a singletwo-state source of visible light.

The display 143 is not limited to a particular type of display. In someembodiments, the display 143 includes micro-displays and other smalldisplays, such as displays having a thickness of between about 100microns and about two millimeters, flat screen displays, such as liquidcrystal displays, and cathode ray tube displays. In some embodiments,the display 143 is mounted in an eyeglass frame. In operation, in someembodiments, the distance between the display and a human cornea isbetween about 5 millimeters and about 200 millimeters.

The display information 103 provided by the display 143 may include acharacteristic feature related to the wavelength of the displayinformation 103. In some embodiments, the display information 103provided by the display 143 includes information having a narrowspectral bandwidth. Exemplary displays that provide the displayinformation 103 having a narrow spectral bandwidth include organic lightemitting diode displays and electroluminescent displays.

The display 143 is not limited to providing the display information 103.In some embodiments, the display 143 is substantially occluded,partially occluded, or substantially transparent. For a partiallyoccluded or substantially transparent display, the display 143 maytransmit the non-display information 105 in addition to providing thedisplay information 103. An organic light emitting diode display is anexemplary display capable of providing substantially transparent,partially occluded, and substantially occluded operation.

FIG. 1D shows a block diagram of an apparatus 151 including theapparatus 101 (shown in FIG. 1A), wherein at least one of the one ormore filters 115 includes a non-display path notch filter 153 or anon-display path polarizing filter 155 and further including the display143 to provide the display information 103 in accordance with someembodiments. The apparatus 101 (dashed lines) includes the substrate 107including the display information optical path 109 to receive thedisplay information 103 and including the non-display informationoptical path 111 to receive the non-display information 105. The displayinformation optical path 109 includes the display information pathoptical power 113. The non-display information optical path 111 includesthe one or more filters 115 and the non-display information path opticalpower 117. In some embodiments, the display information optical pathincludes a display path bandpass filter 157. In other embodiments, thedisplay information optical path includes a display path polarizingfilter 159.

The non-display path notch filter 153 is selected to substantially blockthe display information 103 in the non-display information optical path111. In some embodiments, the non-display path notch filter 153 isselected to block at least about 90% of the energy included in thedisplay information 103. Blocking less than about 90% of energy includedin the display information 103 may result in blurring of the displayinformation 103 and the non-display information 105. The non-displaypath notch filter 153 is not limited to a particular type of notchfilter. In some embodiments, the non-display path notch filter 153includes a thin film interference filter, such as a rugate filter. Notchfilters, such as the non-display path notch filter 153, are formed byperiodically varying the refractive index in each of a plurality ofdiscrete thin film layers included in a contact lens. Microlithographicprocesses can be applied to each of the plurality of discrete thin filmlayers to pattern the notch filters. The plurality of discrete thin filmlayers may be introduced into the contact lens during the molding of thelens.

In operation, the non-display path notch filter 153 is included in thenon-display information optical path 111 to block narrow bandwidthelectromagnetic radiation included in the display information 103. Ifthe non-display information 105 includes broad spectral bandwidthelectromagnetic radiation, the non-display path notch filter 153 hassubstantially no effect on the non-display information 105. Thenon-display information 105 passes through the non-display informationoptical path 111 substantially unchanged.

In some embodiments, the frequencies to be blocked by the non-displaypath notch filter 153 include the primary colors included in thespectrum of the display information 103. For example, for the displayinformation 103 having primary colors red, green, and blue, the one ormore filters 115 are selected to substantially block narrow spectrumred, green, and blue. The transmission curve to substantially blocknarrow spectrum red, green, and blue includes “notches” or atransmission coefficient of substantially zero at the one or more bandsof frequencies to be blocked, narrow spectrum red, green, and blue. Insome embodiments, the “notches” have a bandwidth that blocks a band offrequencies, such as, for example, a band of frequencies having a narrowspectrum of between about two and about thirty nanometers, centered oneach of the primary colors, red, green, and blue.

The non-display path polarizing filter 155 is selected to substantiallyblock the display information 103 in the non-display information opticalpath 111. The non-display path polarizing filter 155 is not limited to aparticular type of polarizing filter. In some embodiments, thenon-display path polarizing filter 155 includes a filter tosubstantially block right-handed circularly polarized radiation. Inother embodiments, the non-display path polarizing filter 155 isselected to substantially block left-handed circularly polarizedelectromagnetic radiation. In further embodiments, the non-display pathpolarizing filter 155 is selected to substantially block linearlypolarized electromagnetic radiation. Pixelated micro-wires andbirefringent polymers are suitable for use in forming linear polarizersfor use in forming polarizing filters, such as the non-display pathpolarizing filter 155. Circular polarizers are formed by adding aquarter wave-plate retarder in series with a linear polarizer.

In operation, the non-display path polarizing filter 155 is included inthe non-display information optical path 111 to block polarizedelectromagnetic radiation included in the display information 103. Forexample, if the display information 103 includes left-handed circularlypolarized electromagnetic radiation and the non-display information 105includes right-handed circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation,the non-display path polarizing filter 155 is selected to substantiallyblock the left-handed circularly polarized electromagnetic radiationwhile having substantially no effect on the right-handed circularlypolarized electromagnetic radiation of the non-display information 105.The non-display information 105 passes through the non-displayinformation optical path 111 substantially unchanged.

The display path bandpass filter 157 is selected to substantially blockthe non-display information 105 in the display information optical path109. The display path bandpass filter 157 is not limited to a particulartype of bandpass filter. In some embodiments, the display path bandpassfilter 157 includes a thin film interference filter, such as a rugatefilter. Bandpass filters, such as the display path bandpass filter 157,are formed by varying the refractive index in each of a plurality ofthin films to selectively pass the desired wavelength bands andincluding the plurality of discrete thin film layers in a contact lens.Microlithographic processes can be applied to the plurality of thinfilms to pattern the bandpass filters. The plurality of discrete thinfilm layers may be introduced into the contact lens during the moldingof the lens.

In operation, the display path bandpass filter 157 included in thedisplay information optical path 109 is selected to substantially blockbroad spectral bandwidth electromagnetic radiation included in thenon-display information 105. If the display information 103 includesnarrow spectral bandwidth electromagnetic radiation substantiallymatched to the passband of the display path bandpass filter 157, thedisplay path bandpass filter 157 has substantially no effect on thedisplay information 103. The display information 103 passes through thedisplay information optical path 109 substantially unchanged.

The display path polarizing filter 159 is selected to substantiallyblock the non-display information 105 in the display information opticalpath 109. The display path polarizing filter 159 is not limited to aparticular type of polarizing filter. In some embodiments, the displaypath polarizing filter 159 includes a linearly polarized filter.

In operation, the display path polarizing filter 159 is included in thedisplay information optical path 109 to substantially blockelectromagnetic radiation included in the non-display information 105.If the display information 103 includes right-handed circularlypolarized electromagnetic radiation and the display path polarizingfilter 159 is selected to transmit right-handed circularly polarizedelectromagnetic radiation, the display path polarizing filter 159 hassubstantially no effect on the display information 103. The displayinformation 103 passes through the display information optical path 109substantially unchanged.

In some embodiments, in operation the apparatus 151 processes acombination of spectral bandwidths and polarizations in the displayinformation 103 and the non-display information 105. In someembodiments, the display information 103 includes displayelectromagnetic radiation having a narrow spectral bandwidth and thenon-display information 105 includes non-display electromagneticradiation having a broad spectral bandwidth. In other embodiments, thedisplay information 103 includes display electromagnetic radiationhaving a display information polarization and the non-displayinformation 105 includes non-display electromagnetic radiation having anon-display information polarization. In further embodiments, thedisplay information 103 includes display electromagnetic radiationhaving a narrow spectral bandwidth and a display informationpolarization and the non-display information 105 includes non-displayelectromagnetic radiation having a broad spectral bandwidth. Inadditional embodiments, the display information 103 includes displayinformation including display electromagnetic radiation having a narrowspectral bandwidth and a display information polarization and thenon-display information 105 including non-display electromagneticradiation having a broad spectral bandwidth and a non-displayinformation polarization.

FIG. 1E shows a block diagram of an apparatus 161 including theapparatus 101 (shown in FIG. 1A), wherein the one or more filters 115includes the non-display path polarizing filter 155 (shown in FIG. 1D)and further including the display 143 (shown in FIG. 1C in accordancewith some embodiments The apparatus 101 includes the substrate 107including the display information optical path 109 to receive thedisplay information 103 and including the non-display informationoptical path 111 to receive the non-display information 105. The displayinformation optical path 109 includes the display information pathoptical power 113. The non-display information optical path 111 includesthe one or more filters 115 and the non-display information path opticalpower 117. The display information 103 includes electromagneticradiation having a display information polarization. The non-displayinformation 105 includes non-display electromagnetic radiation having anon-display information polarization.

The non-display path polarizing filter 155 is selected to block thedisplay information 103. In some embodiments, the display information103 includes electromagnetic radiation having the display informationpolarization. To block the display information 103, the non-display pathpolarizing filter 155 is selected to block electromagnetic radiationhaving the display information polarization. In some embodiments, thenon-display information 105 includes the non-display electromagneticradiation having the non-display information polarization. Thenon-display path polarizing filter 155 is selected to pass thenon-display electromagnetic radiation having the non-display informationpolarization.

FIG. 2A shows a block diagram of an apparatus 201 to receive and processthe display information 103 and the non-display information 105 inaccordance with some embodiments. The apparatus 201 includes thesubstrate 107 including the display information optical path 109 toreceive the display information 103 and including the non-displayinformation optical path 111 to receive the non-display information 105.

The display information optical path 109 includes the displayinformation path optical power 113. The non-display information opticalpath 111 includes one or more controllable optical materials 203 and thenon-display information path optical power 117.

The one or more controllable optical materials 203 include materialshaving one or more controllable optical properties. In some embodiments,the one or more controllable optical materials 203 include photochromicmaterials. The controllable optical properties, such as opacity, may becontrolled by providing the photochromic material with anelectromagnetic signal, such as an optical signal, for example, toincrease or decrease the opacity of the photochromic material.

In some embodiments, the one or more controllable optical materials 203include an electrochromic material. The one or more controllable opticalproperties, such as opacity, may be controlled by providing theelectrochromic material with an electromagnetic signal, such as a radiofrequency signal, for example, to increase or decrease the opacity ofthe electrochromic material.

In operation, the one or more controllable optical materials 203included in the non-display information optical path 111 block ortransmit information in the non-display information optical path 111.When at least one of the one or more controllable optical materials 203is set to block information in the non-display information optical path111, substantially only display information 103 in the displayinformation optical path 109 passes through the substrate 107.

Neither the display information path optical power 113 nor thenon-display information path optical power 117 is limited to aparticular power. In some embodiments, the apparatus 201 includes acombination of optical powers. In some embodiments, the displayinformation path optical power 113 includes substantially zero power andthe non-display information path optical path power 117 includessubstantially zero power. In other embodiments, the display informationpath optical power 113 includes substantially zero power and thenon-display information path optical power 117 includes a normal power.In further embodiments, the display information path optical power 113includes a close power and the non-display information path opticalpower 117 includes substantially zero power. In additional embodiments,the display information path optical power 113 includes a close powerand the non-display information path optical power 117 includes normalpower.

FIG. 2B shows a block diagram of the apparatus 201 (shown in FIG. 2A)coupled to the human visual system 131 in accordance with someembodiments. The apparatus 201 (dashed lines) includes the substrate 107including the display information optical path 109 to receive thedisplay information 103 and including the non-display informationoptical path 111 to receive the non-display information 105. The displayinformation optical path 109 includes the display information pathoptical power 113. The non-display information optical path 111 includesthe one or more controllable optical materials 203 and the non-displayinformation path optical power 117.

In some embodiments, the display information optical path 109 has anaperture 119. The aperture 119 may be sized to assist in focusing thedisplay information 103. In some embodiments, the aperture 119 is sizedto increase the depth of focus in the display information optical path109. In some embodiments, the aperture 119 has a diameter of about onemillimeter.

In operation, the display information optical path 109 and thenon-display information optical path 111 assist the human visual system131 in forming a focused image of the display information 103 at theretina 133 and a focused image of the non-display information 105 at theretina 133. The display information optical path 109 in cooperation withthe human visual system 131, including the human lens 134, substantiallyfocuses the display information 103 at the retina 133 to form a retinaldisplay information image 135. The non-display information optical path111 in cooperation with the human visual system 131, including the humanlens 134, substantially focuses the non-display information 105 at theretina 133 to form a retinal non-display information image 137. At leastone of the one or more controllable optical materials 203 in thenon-display information optical path 111 substantially blocks thedisplay information 103 from entering the human visual system 131 fromthe non-display information optical path 111.

FIG. 2C shows a block diagram of an apparatus 211 including theapparatus 201 (shown in FIG. 2A), and further including the display 143(shown in FIG. 1C) to provide the display information 103 in accordancewith some embodiments. The apparatus 201 (dashed lines) includes thesubstrate 107 including the display information optical path 109 toreceive the display information 103 and including the non-displayinformation optical path 111 to receive the non-display information 105.The display information optical path 109 includes the displayinformation path optical power 113. The non-display information opticalpath 111 includes the one or more controllable optical materials 203 andthe non-display information path optical power 117. In some embodiments,the display information 103 includes information provided by the display143.

FIG. 2D shows a block diagram of an apparatus 221 including theapparatus 201 (shown in FIG. 2A), wherein at least one of the one ormore controllable optical materials 203 includes a photochromic material223 or an electrochromic material 225 and further including the display143 to provide the display information 103 and one or more opticalmaterial activation signals 227 in accordance with some embodiments. Theapparatus 201 (dashed lines) includes the substrate 107 including thedisplay information optical path 109 to receive the display information103 and including the non-display information optical path 111 toreceive the non-display information 105. The display information opticalpath 109 includes the display information path optical power 113.

The non-display information optical path 111 includes the one morecontrollable optical materials 203 and the non-display information pathoptical power 117. In some embodiments, the display information opticalpath 109 includes the display path bandpass filter 157. In someembodiments, the display information optical path 109 includes thedisplay path polarizing filter 159.

The one or more material activation signals 227 provide controlinformation to the one or more controllable optical materials 203. Insome embodiments, the one or more material activation signals 227provide control information to the photochromic material 223. An opticalsignal is an exemplary signal suitable for use in providing controlinformation to the photochromic material 223. In some embodiments, theone or more material activation signals 227 provide control informationto the electrochromic material 225. A radio frequency signal is anexemplary signal suitable for use in providing control information tothe electrochromic material 225. In some embodiments, the one or morematerial activation signals 227 are provided by the display 143.

In operation, one or more of the photochromic material 223 and theelectrochromic material 225 are included in the non-display informationoptical path 111 to block or transmit information in the non-displayinformation optical path 111. When at least one of the one or more ofthe photochromic material 223 and the electrochromic material 225 is setto block information in the non-display information optical path 111,substantially only display information 103 in the display informationoptical path 109 passes through the substrate 107.

FIG. 3 shows an apparatus 301 comprising a substrate 303 including anoptical path 305 having one or more zone plates 307 to receive thedisplay information 103 and the non-display information 105 inaccordance with some embodiments.

The substrate 303 is not limited to being formed from a particularmaterial or combination of materials. Any materials suitable for use informing optical components, such as lenses, may be used in forming thesubstrate 303. Exemplary materials suitable for use in forming thesubstrate 303 include gels such as silicone hydrogels, glasses,plastics, and polymers such as polymethyl, methacrylate and polymacon.The substrate 303 is not limited to a particular type of opticalcomponent. In some embodiments, the substrate 303 includes a lens, suchas a contact lens, formed from one or more of the exemplary materials.

The formation of the one or more zone plates 307 is not limited to aparticular process or set of processes. In some embodiments, each of theone or more zone plates 307 is formed by patterning an interferencefilter, such as a rugate filter, in concentric rings in one of the oneor more zone plates 307. The patterning of a rugate filter is notlimited to a particular type of patterning. In some embodiments, thepatterning includes binary patterning. In other embodiments, thepatterning includes sinusoidal patterning. The refractive index of therugate filter may vary continuously and periodically.

The one or more zone plates 307, in some embodiments, include three zoneplates stacked substantially one on top of the other in the optical path305 included in the substrate 303. In some embodiments, a display thatprovides the display information 103 includes the primary colors red,green, and blue and the one or more zone plates 307 are selected tofilter the primary colors. To filter the colors red, green, and blue,one of the one or more zone plates 307 may include a rugate filterformed to filter the color red. A second of the one or more zone plates307 may include a rugate filter formed to filter the color green, whilea third of the one or more zone plates 307 may include a rugate filterformed to filter the color blue. The rugate filter formed to filter thecolor red includes rings that block red and rings that pass all othercolors. The rugate filter formed to filter the color green includesrings that block green and rings that pass all other colors, whereas therugate filter formed to filter the color blue includes rings that blockblue and rings that pass all other colors.

In some embodiments, the display information 103 is substantiallycollimated by the one or more zone plates 307. To collimate the displayinformation 103, the one or more zone plates 307 are formed to have afocal length of between about five and about two hundred millimeters.

In operation, the apparatus 301 processes the display information 103and the non-display information 105 substantially simultaneously. Thedisplay information 103 is diffracted and substantially focused as thedisplay information 103 passes through the optical path 305. Thenon-display information 105 passes through the optical path 305substantially unchanged. The display information 103 and the non-displayinformation 105 are focused to substantially the same focal point atsubstantially the same time. For a focal point located at a retina of ahuman visual system, the brain superimposes the two images.

The apparatus 301, in some embodiments, includes a display 309. In someembodiments, the display 309 provides display information 103 includingdisplay electromagnetic radiation having at least one characteristicfeature. The non-display information 105 includes non-displayelectromagnetic radiation lacking the at least one characteristicfeature. In some embodiments, the display 309 provides the displayinformation 103 including display electromagnetic radiation having anarrow spectral bandwidth. The non-display information 105 includesnon-display electromagnetic radiation having a broad spectral bandwidth.In some embodiments, the display 309 provides the display information103 including display electromagnetic radiation having a displayinformation polarization. The non-display information 105 includesnon-display electromagnetic radiation having a non-display informationpolarization different from the display information polarization.

The optical path 305 is not limited to a particular optical power. Insome embodiments, the optical path 305 provides substantially zerooptical power 313 for the non-display information 103. In someembodiments, the optical path 305 provides a normal optical power 315for the non-display information 105.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 301 includes a filter 317substantially surrounding around the optical path 305. In someembodiments, when the apparatus 301 is used in combination with a humanvisual system, the filter 317 includes a substantially opaque filter tosubstantially block the display information 103 outside the optical path305 from entering the human visual system. In some embodiments, when theapparatus 301 is used in combination with a human visual system, thefilter 317 includes a non-display path polarizing filter tosubstantially block the display information 103 outside the optical path305 from entering the human visual system. In some embodiments, when theapparatus 301 is used in combination with a human visual system, thefilter 317 includes a notch filter to substantially block the displayinformation 103 outside the optical path 305 from entering the humanvisual system.

FIGS. 4A and 4B (diametrical section of contact lens 401 shown in 4A)show illustrations of a contact lens 401 including the displayinformation optical path 109 and the non-display information opticalpath 111 in accordance with some embodiments. The display informationoptical path 109 forms a substantially cylindrical path through acentral area-of the contact lens 401. The diameter of the displayinformation optical path 109 may be sized to increase the depth of focusand thereby assist in focusing light from a display, such as ahead-mounted display, to a retina in a wearer's visual system. In someembodiments, the display information optical path 109 includes afocusing element 403, such as a lens, to assist the wearer's visualsystem in focusing light rays to the retina. In some embodiments, thedisplay information optical path 109 includes a wavelength selectivefilter, a polarization selective filter, or a variable opacity filterincluding one or more controllable optical materials such aselectrochromic or photochromic materials.

The non-display information optical path 111 forms a substantiallyannular ring surrounding the display information optical path 109. Thenon-display information optical path 111 may also include a non-displayinformation path optical power to assist the wearer's visual system infocusing light rays from objects located at a greater distance from thewearer's visual system than the display. The non-display informationpath optical power assists the wearer's visual system by providing anappropriate power to correct for deficiencies in the wearer's visualsystem. For example, for a nearsighted wearer, the non-displayinformation optical path 111 may include an optical power to correct forthe wearer's nearsightedness and permit the nearsighted wearer toclearly view objects more distant from the wearer's visual system thanthe display. In some embodiments, the non-display information opticalpath 111 includes (i) a wavelength selective filter (including awavelength selectivity different from the selectivity of the wavelengthselective filter of the display information optical path 109), (ii) apolarization selective filter (including a polarization selectivitydifferent from the polarization selectivity of the polarizationselective filter of the display information optical path 109), or (iii)a variable opacity filter.

In operation, the contact lens 401 substantially conforms to the shapeof a wearer's cornea. The display information optical path 109 receivesand passes or transmits light rays from the display to the wearer. Thenon-display information optical path 111 receives and passes ortransmits light rays from objects more distant from the wearer's visualsystem than the display.

FIG. 5 shows an illustration of the display 143 optically coupled by thecontact lens 401 to the human visual system 131 to illustrate processingnon-display information using wavelength filters in accordance with someembodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, the display 143 includes adisplay notch filter 501 and an organic light emitting diode display503. In some embodiments, the contact lens 401 includes (i) display pathbandpass filter 157, such as a narrow band bandpass filter, (ii)focusing element 505 to provide display information path optical power,and (iii) one or more filters 115, such as one or more notch filters.The human visual system 131 includes an iris 507, the human lens 134,and the retina 133.

In operation, the light rays 509 received from objects more distant fromthe contact lens 401 than the display 143 encounter the display 143, thecontact lens 401, and the human visual system 131. At the display 143,the display notch filter 501 filters the light rays 509. The wavelengthsof the light rays 509 that correspond to the wavelength notches ofdisplay notch filter 501 are substantially removed by the display notchfilter 501, allowing light rays 511 to pass. The light rays 511 passthrough the display 143 substantially unaltered. At the contact lens401, the light rays 511 are substantially blocked by the display pathbandpass filter 157 and substantially passed by the one or more filters115. At the human visual system 131, one or more of the light rays 511pass through the iris 507 to form light rays 513. The human lens 134focuses the light rays 513 to the retina 133.

Shadow 515 is created by the light rays blocked by the display pathbandpass filter 157. The display path bandpass filter 157 slightlyreduces the image intensity at the retina 133 when compared to an imageformed at the retina 133 in the absence of the display path bandpassfilter 157. Otherwise, the image at the retina 133 is substantiallyunaltered by the display path bandpass filter 157. The focusing element505 has substantially no affect on the light rays 513 reaching theretina 133, as the light rays 511 received at the focusing element 505are blocked by the display path bandpass filter 157.

In the absence of the display 143, a wearer of the contact lens 401 seesa normal; real world environment except that the light rays 511 nowinclude the wavelengths substantially blocked by the display notchfilter 501 when the display 143 is in use. At the contact lens 401, thewavelengths blocked at the display notch filter 501 when the display 143is in use are passed by the display path bandpass filter 157 anddefocused by the focusing element 505.

FIG. 6 shows an illustration of the display 143 optically coupled by thecontact lens 401 to the human visual system 131 to illustrate processingdisplay information using wavelength filters in accordance with someembodiments. The display 143 includes the display notch filter 501 andthe organic light emitting diode display 503. The contact lens 401includes (i) the display path bandpass filter 157, such as a narrowbandwidth bandpass filter, (ii) the focusing element 505 to providedisplay information path optical power, and (iii) the one or morefilters 115. The human visual system 131 includes the iris 507, thehuman lens 134, and the retina 133.

In operation, light rays 601 and 602 are provided by the organic lightemitting diode display 503. The light rays 602 are blocked by thedisplay notch filter 501. Thus, the light rays 602 are not visible to aviewer looking at a wearer of the contact lens 401. The light rays 601are received at the contact lens 401 and the human visual system 131.The light rays 601 are blocked by the one or more filters 115, forexample, a notch filter, but are passed as light rays 603 by the displaypath bandpass filter 157. The focusing element 505, such as a focusinglens, provides optical power to assist the human lens 134 to focus thelight rays 603 to the retina 133. The light rays 603 are substantiallyunaffected by the iris 507.

In some embodiments, the display 143 is occluded or partially occluded.In such embodiments, a material having an opacity is included in thedisplay 143 to provide the occlusion or partial occlusion. When thematerial is included in the display 143 on the side of display 143facing away from the contact lens 401, some or all of the non-displayinformation or ambient light rays are blocked. In such embodiments, thedisplay notch filter 501 is not required.

FIG. 7 shows an illustration of the display 143 optically coupled by thecontact lens 401 to the human visual system 131 to illustrate processingto combine non-display information and display information usingwavelength filters in accordance with some embodiments. The display 143includes the display notch filter 501 and the organic light emittingdiode display 503. The contact lens 401 includes the display pathbandpass filter 157, the focusing element 505 to provide displayinformation path optical power, and the one or more filters 115. Thehuman visual system 131 includes the iris 507, the human lens 134, andthe retina 133.

In operation, the light rays 509 received from objects more distant fromthe contact lens 401 than the display 143 are processed as describedabove in the description of Fig. S to provide light rays 511 and 513.The light rays 601 and 602 provided by the display 143 are processed asdescribed above in the description of FIG. 6 to provide light rays 603.The light rays 603 come to a focus at substantially the same spot on theretina 133 as the light rays 513. The wearer's brain combines theretinal images provided by the light rays 603 and the light rays 509 toform a superimposed image.

FIG. 8 shows an illustration of the display 143 optically coupled by thecontact lens 401 to the human visual system 131 to illustrate processingnon-display information using polarizing filters in accordance with someembodiments. The display 143 includes the organic light emitting diodedisplay 503, a display polarizing filter 801, and display shutters 803and 805. The contact lens 401 includes a display path filter 807, suchas a display path bandpass filter or a display path polarizing filter,the focusing element 505 to provide display information path opticalpower, and the non-display path polarizing filter 155. The human visualsystem 131 includes the iris 507, the human lens 134, and the retina133.

In operation, the light rays 809 are polarized by the display polarizingfilter 801 to form light rays 811. The shutters 803 and 805 are switchedto the same polarization as the display polarizing filter 801. Thus, thelight rays 811 pass through the shutters 803 and 805 substantiallyunaltered. The organic light emitting diode display 503 is set to an“off” state and is therefore substantially translucent to the light rays811. Thus, the light rays 811 also pass through the organic lightemitting diode display 503 substantially unaltered. The light rays 811are substantially blocked by the display path filter 807. In someembodiments, the display path filter 807 includes the display pathbandpass filter 157 (shown in FIG. 1D). In some embodiments, the displaypath filter 807 includes the display path polarizing filter 159 (shownin FIG. 1D) having a polarization different from the polarization of theshutters 803 and 805. The non-display path polarizing filter 155 has thesame polarization as the shutters 803 and 805. Thus, the light rays 811pass through the non-display path polarizing filter 155 substantiallyunaltered. At the human visual system 131, the iris 507 limits the lightrays passing through the iris 507 to light rays 813. The human lens 134focuses the light rays 813 at the retina 133.

Shadow 815 is created by the light rays blocked by the display pathfilter 807. The display path filter 807 slightly reduces the imageintensity at the retina 133 when compared to an image formed at theretina 133 in the absence of the display path filter 807. Otherwise, theimage at the retina 133 is substantially unaltered by the display pathfilter 807. The focusing element 505 has substantially no affect on thelight rays 811 reaching the retina 133, as the light rays 811 passingthrough the focusing element 505 are substantially blocked by thedisplay path filter 807.

In the absence of the display 143, a wearer of the contact lens 401 seesa normal, real world environment except that the light rays 811 arepolarized. For the display path filter 807 including either a polarizingfilter or a bandpass filter, the light rays passing through the displaypath filter 807 are defocused by the focusing element 505 beforereaching retina 133.

FIG. 9 shows an illustration of the display 143 optically coupled by thecontact lens 401 to the human visual system 131 to illustrate processingdisplay information using polarizing filters in accordance with someembodiments. The display 143 includes the display polarizing filter 801,the display shutter 803, the organic light emitting diode display 503,and the display shutter 805. The contact lens 401 includes thenon-display path polarizing filter 155, the display path filter 807,such as a display path bandpass filter or a display path polarizingfilter, and the focusing element 505 to provide display information pathoptical power. The human visual system 131 includes the iris 507, thehuman lens 134, and the retina. 133.

In operation, the display polarizing filter 801 polarizes the light rays809 to form light rays 811. The shutter 803 is switched to apolarization to substantially block the light rays 811, and the organiclight emitting diode display 503 is set to an “on” state. The organiclight emitting diode display 503 provides the light rays 601 and 602,while the shutter 803 polarizes the light rays 602 to form light rays901. The display polarizing filter 801 is set to a polarization tosubstantially block the light rays 901. Thus, the light rays 901 are notvisible to a viewer looking at a wearer of the display 143. The shutter805 polarizes the light rays 601 to form light rays 903. The non-displaypath polarizing filter 155 is set to a polarization to substantiallyblock the light rays 903. For the display path filter 807 set tosubstantially the same polarization as the shutter 805, the display pathfilter 807 passes the light rays 903 substantially unaltered. Thefocusing element 505, such as a focusing lens, provides optical power toassist the human lens 134 to focus the light rays 905 to the retina 133.Thus, the focusing element 505 may provide an optical power to assistthe human lens 134 in focusing the light rays 903 at the retina 133. Thehuman lens 134 in combination with the focusing element 505 processesthe light rays 903 to form light rays 905. The iris 507 hassubstantially no affect on the light rays 905 substantially focused atthe retina 133.

If the display 143 is occluded or partially occluded, the displaypolarization filter 801 is not required. Instead, in some embodiments, amaterial having an opacity is included on the side of the display 143facing away from the contact lens 401 to block some or all of the lightrays 509 including the non-display information.

In some embodiments, a quarter wave-plate is included in the shutter 805to convert the light rays 601 having a linear polarization to a circularpolarization. To support the processing of circularly polarizedradiation, the non-display path polarizing filter 155 includes a filterto provide transmission of right-handed circularly polarized radiation.Also, to support the processing of circularly polarized radiation, thedisplay path filter 807 includes a filter to provide transmission ofleft-handed circularly polarized radiation. In operation, to process thenon-display information, the shutter 805 including the quarterwave-plate is set to pass right-handed circularly polarized radiation.In operation, to process the display information the shutter 805including the quarter wave plate is set to pass left-handed circularlypolarized radiation. In some embodiments, the display path filter 807includes a display path bandpass filter.

A filter providing transmission of circularly polarized radiation,unlike a filter providing for transmission of linearly polarizedradiation, does not require rotational alignment of the contact lens 401with the human visual system 131. However, the non-display pathpolarizing filter 155 is not limited to a filter for processingcircularly polarized radiation. In some embodiments, the non-displaypath polarizing filter 155 includes a filter to provide transmission oflinearly polarized radiation.

Referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, in some embodiments the shutters 803 and805 are switched between one polarization state and another polarizationstate in synchronization with the setting of the organic light emittingdiode display 503 to an “on” state and an “off” state. For example, whenthe organic light emitting diode display 503 is set to an “on” state,the shutters 803 and 805 are switched to the state as described for

FIG. 9 to process the display information provided by the light rays 601and 602 from the organic light emitting diode display 503. And, forexample, when the organic light emitting diode display 503 is set to an“off” state, the shutters 803 and 805 are switched to the state asdescribed for FIG. 8 to process non-display information provided by thelight rays 809. The switching rate is set to a frequency that allows thebrain of a wearer of the contact lens 401 to form a single image fromthe superposition of the images of the display information and thenon-display information.

Polarizing shutters, such as shutters 803 and 805, can utilize liquidcrystal display panels that re-orient their liquid crystals in responseto an applied electric field. When the crystals are oriented in onedirection, they pass electromagnetic radiation having a particularpolarization. Changing the electric field to orient the crystals in asecond direction causes electromagnetic radiation having a secondpolarization to be passed.

FIGS. 10A and 10B (diametrical section of illustration shown in IOA)show illustrations of a contact lens 1001 including one or more zoneplate filters 1003 in accordance with some embodiments. In certainembodiments, the one or more zone plate filters 1003 are formed bypatterning a rugate filter in concentric rings of a diffraction zoneplate, which focuses light using diffraction to cause constructiveinterference at a focal point to create an image. A rugate filterincludes optical interference films of varying thickness. The refractiveindex of the optical interference film varies as a function of thefilm's optical thickness. The use of a rugate filter in forming a zoneplate results in a zone plate that operates on a particular set ofwavelengths, for example, a narrow band of wavelengths. In someembodiments, the patterning of the zone plate is binary. Binarypatterning includes substantially opaque and transparent rings ofsubstantially equal areas. In some embodiments, the patterning issinusoid. Sinusoid patterning includes rings having substantiallygradual variations in opacity. In some embodiments, the contact lens1001 includes a notch filter 1005 forming substantially an annular ringaround the one or more zone plate filters 1003.

FIG. 11 shows an illustration of the display 143 optically coupled bythe contact lens 1001 to the human visual system 131 to illustrateprocessing display information and non-display information using the oneor more zone plate filters 1003 in accordance with some embodiments. Thedisplay 143 includes the display notch filter 501 and the organic lightemitting diode display 503. The contact lens 1001 includes the one ormore zone plate filters 1003. In some embodiments, the contact lens 1001includes the notch filter 1005. The human visual system 131 includes theiris 507, the human lens 134, and the retina 133.

In operation, the light rays 509 providing non-display informationreceived from objects more distant from the contact lens 1001 than thedisplay 143 encounter the display 143, the contact lens 1001, and thehuman visual system 131. At the display 143, the display notch filter501 filters the light rays 509. The wavelengths of the light rays 509that correspond to the wavelength notches of the display notch filter501 are substantially removed by the display notch filter 501, passingthe light rays 511. The light rays 511 pass through the display 143substantially unaltered. At the contact lens 1001, the light rays 511pass through the one or more zone plate filters 1003 and the notchfilter 1005 substantially unaltered. At the human visual system 131, theiris 507 may block some of the light rays 511, passing light rays 1007.The human lens 134 focuses the light rays 1007 including the non-displayinformation at the retina 133.

In operation, the organic light emitting diode display 503 provideslight rays 601 and 602. The light rays 602 are directed away from thecontact lens 1001 and are substantially blocked by the display notchfilter 501. Thus, the light rays 602 are not visible to a viewer lookingat a wearer of the display 143. The light rays 601 are directed towardthe contact lens 1001 including the notch filter 1005 and the one ormore zone plate filters 1003. At the notch filter 1005, the light rays601 are substantially blocked. At the one or more zone plate filters1003, the light rays 601 are diffracted to form the light rays 1009. Thehuman lens 134 focuses the light rays 1009 including the displayinformation at the retina 133.

In operation, the light rays 509 received from objects more distant fromthe contact lens 1001 than the display 143 are processed as describedabove to provide the light rays 1007 including the non-displayinformation to the retina 133. The light rays 601 provided by thedisplay 143 are processed as described above to provide the light rays1009 including the display information to the retina 133. The light rays1007 and the light rays 1009 are focused at substantially the same spotat the retina 133 at substantially the same time. Thus, the brain of thewearer of the contact lens 1001 combines the retinal image provided bythe light rays 1007 including the non-display information and theretinal image provided by the light rays 1009 including the displayinformation to form a superimposed image including the displayinformation and the non-display information.

In the absence of the display 143, a wearer of the contact lens 1001sees a normal, real world environment except the light rays 511 nowinclude the wavelengths substantially blocked by the display notchfilter 501. At the contact lens 1001, the wavelengths blocked at thedisplay notch filter 501 when the display 143 is present are diffractedby the one or more zone plate filters 1003 and defocused by the humanlens 134.

If the display 143 is occluded or partially occluded, the display notchfilter 501 is not required. Instead, in some embodiments, a materialhaving an opacity is included on the side of the display 143 facing awayfrom the contact lens 1001 to block some or all of the light rays 509including the non-display information.

FIG. 12 shows an illustration of an apparatus 1201 including a substrate1203, a substantially transparent pixel unit 1205, and an organic lightemitting diode unit 1207 in accordance with some embodiments. Thesubstrate 1203 includes a pattern 1209 of pixel sites including a firstpattern of one or more first pixel sites 1211 and a second pattern ofone or more second pixel sites 1213. The substantially transparent pixelunit 1205 is located at substantially each of the one or more firstpixel sites 1211. The organic light emitting diode pixel unit 1207including a filter 1215 is located at substantially each of the one ormore second pixel sites 1213. The filter 1215 is located on thesubstrate 1203 to enable filtering of the electromagnetic radiationemitted by the organic light emitting diode unit before theelectromagnetic radiation reaches a viewer. To filter theelectromagnetic radiation, such as visible light, emitted by the organiclight emitting diode pixel unit 1207, the area of the filter 1215 issubstantially equal to or greater than the area of the organic lightemitting diode pixel unit 1207. In some embodiments, the filter 1215 isa narrow band filter. In other embodiments, the filter 1215 is apolarizing filter. The pattern 1209 of pixel sites is not limited to aparticular pattern. In some embodiments, the pattern 1209 of pixel sitesincludes a checkerboard pattern including the first pattern of the oneor more first pixel sites 1211 alternating with the second pattern ofthe one or more second pixel sites 1213. The sites are not limited to aparticular shape and the shapes shown are only for schematicillustration.

FIG. 13 shows a flow diagram of a method 1301 including enabling anddisabling transmission of display information and transmission ofnon-display information in accordance with some embodiments. In theillustrated embodiment, the method 1301 enables transmission of displayinformation from a display and switches one or more shutters to a firstpolarization to polarize the display information (block 1303), anddisables transmission of the display information from the display andswitches the one or more shutters to a second polarization differentfrom the first polarization to enable transmission of the non-displayinformation through the one or more shutters (block 1305). In someembodiments, the method 1301 includes receiving the display informationand the non-display information at a contact lens. In some embodiments,the method 1301 includes substantially blocking the display informationat a non-display information optical path included in the contact lensand substantially transmitting the display information at a displayinformation optical path included in the contact lens.

FIG. 14 shows a flow diagram of a method 1401 including polarizingdisplay and non-display information and illuminating a contact lens withthe polarized display and non-display information in accordance withsome embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, the method 1401 (i)polarizes non-display information to form polarized non-displayinformation and polarizes display information to form polarized displayinformation (block 1403), (ii) illuminates a contact lens with thepolarized non-display information while not illuminating the contactlens with the polarized display information (block 1405), and (iii)illuminates the contact lens with the polarized display informationwhile not illuminating the contact lens with the polarized non-displayinformation (block 1407). In some embodiments, the method 1401 includessubstantially blocking the polarized display information at thenon-display information path at the contact lens.

FIG. 15 shows an example configuration of a contact lens and a displaypanel reflected off a narrow spectral band beam splitter, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention. Referring now to FIG. 15,a viewer's eye 1500 is shown wearing a contact lens 1501 for viewing adisplay panel 1511 reflected off a narrow spectral band beam splitter1510 while simultaneously viewing the surrounding ambient light 1516visible through the beam splitter 1510. As illustrated, beam splitter1510 comprises a transparent substrate 1514 and a Rugate coating 1513 orother means to reflect narrow spectral bands of light.

The light 1517 emitted from the display panel 1511 is reflected off ofthe narrow band spectral reflection coating 1513 and is redirectedtowards the eye 1500. This light does not need to be focused prior toilluminating the eye. Because the light is free to radiate out in abroad fashion, it is not restricted to just the cone of light 1517depicted in FIG. 15.

After being reflected, light 1517 comprises only narrow bands of light.Narrow spectral notch filter 1504 in contact lens 1501 blocks this lightfrom entering the eye except through the aperture in filter 1504. Thelight that passes through the aperture in filter 1504 also passesthrough lenslet 1502 and filter 1503, and into the pupil. Lenslet 1502substantially collimates light 1517 such that the eye's biologicallenses can properly focus the image onto the retina.

Light 1516 from the surrounding environment passes through transparentsubstrate 1514 and through narrow spectral band reflector 1513. Thespectral bands of light 1516 that correspond to the spectral reflectionbands of filter 1513 are reflected back, but the remaining broad bandsof light pass on through unmodified. This broadband light illuminatesthe eye 1500 and contact lens 1501. In particular, the light is free topass through the narrow spectral notch filter 1504, where it enters thepupil and is focused normally by the eye 1500 onto the retina. The lightthat passes through the aperture in filter 1504 is blocked from enteringthe pupil by filter 1503.

As light 1517 and light 1516 focus onto the retina, the brain processesthe two images from the two lights as if it were one image superimposedtogether. As a result, the viewer is able to see the image from thedisplay together with the image from the surrounding environment.

The light 1517 from display 1511 that is broader in spectral bandwidththan the narrow bands of reflector 1513 passes through reflector 1513and transparent substrate 1514, thereby becoming visible to an observer.As such, in the illustrated embodiment, narrow bandpass filter 1512blocks light that is broader in spectral bandwidth than the narrow bandsof reflector 1513, thereby blocking spectral bands broad enough to passthrough filter 1513 and be visible to an observer.

In other embodiments, light 1517 is prevented from being visible to anobserver by using a polarized filter of a first polarization for filter1512 and polarizer filter 1515 of a second polarization. Polarizerfilter 1512 blocks light of the second polarization and passes light ofthe first polarization. The passed light is free to transmit throughfilter 1513 and substrate 1514, but is blocked by polarization filter1515, which blocks light of the first polarization. Light 1516 of thesecond polarization is free to pass through filter 1515, substrate 1514,and filter 1513.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example configuration of a contact lens and adisplay panel reflected off a polarized beam splitter, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 16, aviewer's eye 1510 is shown wearing a contact lens 1501 for viewing adisplay panel 1611 reflected off a polarized beam splitter 1600 whilesimultaneously viewing the surrounding ambient light 1616 visiblethrough the beam splitter 1600.

Beam splitter 1600 comprises a transparent substrate 1614 and apolarization reflector 1613. Light of a first polarization istransmitted through reflector 1613 and light of a second polarization isreflected by reflector 1613.

The light 1617 emitted from the display panel 1611 is reflected offreflector 1613 and redirected toward the eye 1500. This light does notneed to be focused prior to illuminating the eye. As the light is freeto radiate out in a broad fashion, it is not restricted to just the coneof light 1617 depicted in FIG. 16.

After reflection, light 1617 comprises only light having the secondpolarization. Polarization filter 1504 in contact lens 1501 blocks thislight from entering the eye everywhere except through the aperture infilter 1504. The light that passes through the aperture in filter 1504,passes through lenslet 1502 and filter 1503, and eventually enters thepupil. Lenslet 1502 substantially collimates light 1617 such that theeye's biological lenses can properly focus the image onto the retina.

Light 1616 from the surrounding environment of the first polarizationpasses through transparent substrate 1614 and through polarizationreflector 1613; light 1616 of a second polarization is reflected back.Light 1616 of the first polarization illuminates eye 1500 and contactlens 1501. This light is free to pass through the polarization filter1504, where it enters the pupil and is focused normally by the eye 1500onto the retina. The light that passes through the aperture in filter1504 is blocked from entering the pupil by filter 1503.

As light 1617 and light 1616 focus onto the retina, the brain processesthe two images from the two lights as if it were one image superimposedtogether. As a result, the viewer is able to see the image from thedisplay together with the image from the surrounding environment.

The light 1617 from display 1611 that is of the first polarizationpasses through reflector 1613 and through transparent substrate 1614,thereby becoming visible to an observer. Polarization filter 1612 blockslight of a first polarization such that there is no light passingthrough filter 1613, thereby preventing light 1617 from being visible toan observer.

FIG. 17 shows an example configuration of a contact lens and displaypixels in front of an LCD display panel, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 17, a viewer'seye 1500 is depicted wearing a contact lens 1501 for viewing displaypixels 1711 in front of an LCD display panel 1712 while simultaneouslyviewing the surrounding ambient light 1716 visible through displaypixels 1711 and the LCD display panel 1712.

Depending on the embodiment, display pixels 1711 may comprise anysuitable pixel construction. Examples of this include electroluminescentpixels, reflected electroluminescent pixels, and pixels reflected from aprojector. The filters and lenslet in contact lens 1501 enable thewearer to view pixels 1711 simultaneously with viewing light 1716 fromthe surrounding environment.

In operation, light 1716 is frequently brighter than pixels 1711, makingit difficult for the viewer to see pixels 1711. Accordingly, in theillustrated embodiment, the pixels of LCD display panel 1712 can beadjusted to block some of light 1716 so that pixels 1711 are notoverpowered by light 1716.

Light 1716 of a first polarization passes through polarization filter1714. Each pixel within LCD display 1712 is set to a desiredpolarization orientation such that polarization filter 1713 blocks orpasses the desired amount of light for each pixel. In this way, eachpixel 1711 can have the amount of light 1716 passing through itattenuated to a desired level.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example configuration of a contact lens and anelectroluminescent display panel that is polarized by an array of LCDpixels, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.Referring to FIG. 18, a viewer's eye 1500 is shown wearing a contactlens 1501 for viewing an electroluminescent display panel 1812 that ispolarized by and array of LCD pixels 1811 while simultaneously viewingthe surrounding ambient light 1816 visible through the display panel.

In the illustrated embodiment, some or all of the pixels inelectroluminescent display panel 1812 emit light during a first timeperiod. Light from the display panel 1812 of a first polarization passesthrough polarization filter 1813. For each pixel of display 1812 that isset to emit light, the corresponding pixel from LCD panel 1811 is set tonot change the polarization of light passing through filter 1813. Foreach pixel of display 1812 that is not set to emit light, thecorresponding pixel from LCD panel 1811 is set to change thepolarization of light passing through filter 1813 to a secondpolarization.

Light 1816 of a first polarization also passes through polarizationfilter 1813, while light 1816 of a second polarization gets blocked.Light 1816 passing through LCD pixels 1811 is set to either the firstpolarization or the second polarization depending on the setting of LCDpixels 1811. Those pixels 1811 corresponding to illuminated pixels ofdisplay 1812 are set to pass light of a first polarization, while thosepixels 1811 corresponding to non-illuminated pixels of display 1812 areset to pass light of a second polarization.

Light of the first polarization is blocked by filter 1504 everywhereexcept through the aperture in filter 1504. Light passing through theaperture of filter 1504 is substantially collimated by lenslet 1502.After passing through lenslet 1502, this light passes through filter1503 and into the pupil, where it is imaged onto the retina by the eye'sbiological optics.

Light of the second polarization passes through filter 1504 and into thepupil, where it is imaged onto the retina by the eye's biologicaloptics. Light of the second polarization passing through the centeraperture is blocked by filter 1503.

The above discussion describes how light 1816 and light coming fromdisplay pixels 1812 make their way to the retina during a first timeperiod. During a second time period, display pixels 1812 are turned offand LCD pixels 1811 are all set to pass light 1816 of the secondpolarization. During this second time period, all of the light 1816 ofthe second polarization passes through filter 1504 and is imaged ontothe retina by the eye's biological optics.

During the first period, light 1816 passing through illuminated pixels1812 is blocked from passing through filter 1504. This allows theilluminated pixels 1812 to be seen without having to over power thelight 1816 from the surrounding environment.

The duty cycle between the first time period and the second time periodcan be controlled. By increasing the percentage of time allocated to thesecond time period, the attenuation of light 1816 is reduced while theattenuation of light from display pixels 1812 is increased. Thisvariation of attenuation is only for light 1816 that passes throughilluminated pixels 1812. Light 1816 passing through non-illuminatedpixels 1812 is polarized to the second polarization in both timeperiods, and therefore is never attenuated.

FIG. 19 shows an example configuration of a contact lens and an LCDpanel that is backlit by an electroluminescent panel, in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 19, anobserver's eye 1500 is shown wearing a contact lens 1501 for viewing anLCD panel 1911 that is backlit by an electroluminescent panel 1912 whilesimultaneously viewing the surrounding ambient light 1919 visiblethrough the LCD display panel 1911.

Light from electroluminescent panel 1912 radiates out in all directions.It is polarized by polarizer 1916 prior to passing through LCD pixels1911 and polarizer 1915. LCD pixels 1911 are set to adjust the amount oflight from panel 1912 that can pass through polarizer 1915.Specifically, the LCD pixels 1911 may be set to pass all of the lightpassing through polarizer 1916, none of the light passing throughpolarizer 1916, or any gray level in between.

During a first period, LCD panel 1913 is set to pass light from panel1912 polarized to an orientation that does not pass through polarizerfilter 1504, but passes through filter 1503. Light from panel 1912 isprevented from being visible to an observer by polarizers 1917 and 1918along with LCD panel 1914. During the first period when panel 1912 ison, LCD panel 1914 is set to not allow light to pass through polarizer1918.

Polarizers 1917 and 1918 along with LCD panel 1914 are not required forthe wearer to see the image created by LCD pixels 1911. Their mainfunction is to prevent an observer from seeing the image created by LCDpixels 1911. Their second function is to block light 1919 from reachingthe viewer's eyes during the first time period. Without items 1917,1918, and 1914, light 1919 passes through panel 1912 and is processedjust like the light from panel 1912, except that light 1919 is alreadysubstantially collimated by virtue of its distance from the eye. Forthis reason, center lenslet 1502 de-collimates this light causing it tobe defocused on the retina by the eye's biological optics. Thisdefocusing of light 1919 causes it to be highly diffused and thereforenot affect the image created by LCD pixels 1911. Because of this, items1917, 1918, and 1914 are not absolutely required to prevent light 1919from interfering with the image created by LCD pixels 1911.

During a second time period, panel 1912 is turned off and LCD panel 1914is set to pass light 1919 through polarizer 1917. Pixels 1911 are set topass all of the light 1919 passing through polarizer 1916 to also passthrough polarizer 1915. LCD panel 1913 is set to pass light 1919polarized to an orientation that passes through polarizer filter 1504.From this point, it is focused onto the retina by the eye's normalbiological optics. The portion of this light that passes through theaperture opening in filter 1504 is blocked by filter 1503.

The duty cycle between the first time period and the second time periodcan be controlled. By increasing the percentage of time allocated to thesecond time period, the amount of light 1919 imaged onto the retina isincreased and the amount of light from panel 1912 that is modulated byLCD pixels 1911 imaged onto the retina is decreased. In this way, therelative brightness of the surrounding environment image and the displayimage can be optimized for a desired balance.

FIG. 20 shows an example configuration of a contact lens and an LCDpanel that is backlit by an electroluminescent panel with a second LCDpanel, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.Referring now to FIG. 20, a viewer's eye 1500 is shown wearing a contactlens 1501 for viewing an LCD panel 2011 that is backlit by anelectroluminescent panel 2012 with a second LCD panel 2014 whilesimultaneously viewing the surrounding ambient light 2019 visiblethrough the LCD display panel. The second LCD panel 2014 creates animage that is not visible to the wearer, but is visible to an observer.

The configuration of the display panel 2000 shown in FIG. 20 is similarto the operation described in FIG. 19, except an array of LCD pixels2014 replaces the LCD panel 1914 of FIG. 19.

Light from electroluminescent panel 2012 radiates out in all directions.It is polarized by polarizer 2016 prior to passing through LCD pixels2011 and polarizer 2015. LCD pixels 2011 are set to adjust the amount oflight from panel 2012 that can pass through polarizer 2015. Inparticular, LCD pixels 2011 may be set to pass all of the light passingthrough polarizer 2016, none of the light passing through polarizer2016, or any gray level in between.

During a first period, LCD panel 2013 is set to pass light from panel2012 polarized to an orientation that does not pass through polarizerfilter 1504, but passes through filter 1503.

During the first period, light from panel 2012 also passes throughpolarizer 2017 and is modulated by LCD pixels 2014 and polarizer 2018.LCD pixels 2014 are set to adjust the amount of light from panel 2012that can pass through polarizer 2018. Specifically, the LCD pixels 2014can be set to pass all of the light passing through polarizer 2017, noneof the light passing through polarizer 2017, or any gray level inbetween. The image created by LCD pixels 2014 is visible to an observer.

During a second time period, panel 2012 is turned off and LCD pixels2014 are set to pass light 2019 through polarizer 2017. Pixels 2011 areset to pass all of the light 2019 passing through polarizer 2016 to alsopass through polarizer 2015. LCD panel 2013 is set to pass light 2019polarized to an orientation that passes through polarizer filter 1504.From this point, it is focused onto the retina by the eye's normalbiological optics. The portion of this light that passes through theaperture in filter 1504 is blocked by filter 1503.

The duty cycle between the first time period and the second time periodcan be controlled. By increasing the percentage of time allocated to thesecond time period, the amount of light 2019 imaged onto the retina isincreased and the amount of light from panel 2012 that is modulated byLCD pixels 2011 imaged onto the retina is decreased. In this way, therelative brightness of the surrounding environment image and the displayimage can be optimized for a desired balance. This duty cycle control ofrelative brightness of the image from LCD pixels 2011 also affects thebrightness of the image created by LCD pixels 2014 as seen by anobserver.

In some embodiments, display panel 2000 may be viewable while notwearing contact lens 1501. If display panel 2000 is viewed from adistance by an observer on the left and an observer on the right, eachobserver would be able to see a display image while simultaneouslyseeing through the display to the surrounding environment on the otherside of the display. The viewer to the left will see an image createdduring the first time period by LCD pixels 2011, whereas the viewer tothe right will see an image created during the first time period by LCDpixels 2014. During the second time period, both viewers are able to seethrough the display to whatever is on the other side. Thus, the displaypanel 2000 appears like a see-through display to both viewers, but witha different display image presented. In this foregoing embodiment, LCDpanel 2013 is not required.

FIG. 21 depicts an example configuration of a contact lens and an imageprojected onto a partially reflective panel, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 21, a viewer'seye 1500 is shown wearing a contact lens for viewing an image projectedby image projector 2115 onto a partially reflective panel 2100 whilesimultaneously viewing the surrounding ambient light 2118 visiblethrough the partially reflective panel 2100.

As illustrated, transparent substrate 2111 is etched or molded to haveconcave or convex surfaces on one side. Partially reflective material isthen deposited onto these surfaces to form partial reflectors 2112. Asecond transparent substrate 2114 is bonded to the first substrate 2111by an optical adhesive 2113 that is substantially of the samecoefficient of refraction as substrates 2111 and 2114. Adhesive 2113completely fills the voids between reflectors 2112 and substrate 2114.

Reflective panel 2100 is constructed of substrate 2111, reflectors 2112,adhesive 2113, and substrate 2114 in such manner that the thickness ofpanel 2100 is substantially uniform in thickness and substantiallyuniform in its coefficient of refraction. As a result, lighttransmitting through partial reflective panel 2100 passes throughwithout any refraction. However, light reflected by reflectors 2112 isreflected at various angles due to the curved nature of reflectors 2112.This allows a viewer to see the image projected by projector 2115reflected off reflective surface 2112 from multiple viewing positions.

Depending on the embodiment, partial reflectors 2112 may be constructedusing thin metallic films that are thin enough to transmit some light,yet thick enough to reflect some light. For example, aluminum having athickness ranging from 200 to 3000 angstroms could be used to providevarious degrees of reflectivity versus transmission. Partial reflectors2112 may also be constructed by depositing Rugate coatings ontosubstrate 2111. Rugate coatings can be made to reflect certainwavelengths of light while transmitting other wavelengths. Yet otherembodiments may use reflective polarizers for reflectors 2112. Thesereflectors reflect light of one polarization and transmit light of asecond polarization.

Light 2117 from projector 2115 is projected onto reflective panel 2100.Some or all of this light is reflected by reflectors 2112 at divergentangles. The size of the curved surfaces of reflectors 2112 should be thesame size as, or smaller than, the pixels projected onto panel 2100.Each pixel is then reflected in a diverging manner as if the light wasemanating from the reflective surface. In this way, reflective panel2100 appears as an image plane to the viewer. Optics and filters incontact lens 1501 enable the wearer to see the image being reflected byreflective panel 2100 even though it is placed very near to the wearer'seye.

In those embodiments where the reflective surface 2112 is a narrow bandRugate coating, only narrow bands of light from projector 2115 arereflected towards the viewer. In such an embodiment, filter 1504 maycomprise a narrow band notch filter blocking the reflected light fromentering the pupil except through the aperture opening at the center offilter 1504. The light passing through this aperture is substantiallycollimated by lenslet 1502 and passes through filter 1503 beforeentering the pupil. From there, the eye's biological optics focuses thelight onto the retina. Additionally, narrow bandpass filter 2116 may beadded to projector 2115 so that only narrow bands of light are projectedonto narrow band reflectors 2111, thus preventing any projected lightfrom being seen by an observer.

Broadband light 2118 from the surrounding environment predominantlypasses through reflectors 2112 un-modified and illuminates the eye 1500and contact lens 1501. Since it is broadband light, it mostly passesthrough the narrow band spectral notch filter 1504 and enters the pupil,where it is imaged onto the retina by the eye's biological optics. Light2118 passing through lenslet 1502 is blocked from entering the pupil byfilter 1503.

In those embodiments where the reflective surface 2112 is a polarizationreflector, only light of a first polarization from projector 2115 isreflected towards the viewer. In such an embodiment, filter 1504 maycomprise a polarization filter that blocks light of the firstpolarization and transmits light of a second polarization. In addition,polarization filter 2116 of a first polarization may be added toprojector 2115 to only project light of the first polarization, so thatno light transmits through reflectors to be seen by an observer.

Unpolarized light 2118 from the surrounding environment is polarized toa second polarization by reflectors 2112 and illuminates the eye 1500and contact lens 1501. Light 2118 of the second polarization istransmitted through polarized filter 1504 and is focused onto the retinaby the eye's biological optics.

In those embodiments where the reflective surface 2112 is a neutralpartial reflector, the light from projector 2115 is conditioned by usingfilter 2116. Where filter 2115 is a narrow bandpass filter, filter 1504is a narrow notch filter. Where filter 2115 is a polarization filter ofa first polarity, filter 1504 is a polarization filter of a secondpolarization. Either way, light from projector 2115 is conditioned byfilter 2116 and partially reflected by reflectors 2112 back to theviewer's eye. The light from projector 2115 is then blocked fromentering the pupil by filter 1504 everywhere except through the centeraperture opening. The light passing through the center aperture openingis substantially collimated by lenslet 1502 and passes through filter1503. It then enters the pupil and is imaged onto the retina by theeye's biological optics.

Some of light 2118 from the surrounding environment transmits throughpartial reflectors 2112 and illuminates the eye 1500 and contact lens1501. It passes through filter 1504 into the pupil, where it is imagedonto the retina by the eye's biological optics.

FIG. 22 shows an example configuration of a contact lens and an LCDpanel that is illuminated by light projected onto a partially reflectiveback panel, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.Referring to FIG. 22, a viewer's eye 1500 is shown wearing a contactlens 1501 for viewing an LCD panel 2200 that is illuminated by light2217 from light source 2219 projected onto a partial reflector 2212while simultaneously viewing the surrounding ambient light 2218 visiblethrough the LCD display panel 2200.

Transparent substrate 2211 is etched or molded to have concave or convexsurfaces on one side. Partially reflective material is then depositedonto these surfaces to form partial reflectors 2212.

A polarizer 2215 is bonded to substrate 2211 by an optical adhesive 2213that is substantially of the same coefficient of refraction as substrate2211. Adhesive 713 completely fills the voids between reflectors 2212and polarizer 2215.

The reflective panel is constructed of substrate 2211, reflectors 2212,adhesive 2213, and polarizer 2215 in such manner that the thickness ofLCD display panel 2200 is substantially uniform in thickness andsubstantially uniform in its coefficient of refraction. As a result,light transmitting through LCD display panel 2200 passes through withoutany refraction. However, illumination light 2217 from light source 2219is reflected off reflectors 2212 at various angles due to the curvednature of reflectors 2212. This allows a viewer to see the reflectedlight from multiple angles.

Partial reflectors 2212 can be constructed using thin metallic filmsthat are thin enough to transmit some light, yet thick enough to reflectsome light. For example, aluminum having a thickness ranging from 200 to3000 angstroms could be used as it provides various degrees ofreflectivity versus transmission. In other embodiments, partialreflectors 2212 may be constructed by depositing Rugate coatings ontosubstrate 2211. Rugate coatings can be made to reflect certainwavelengths of light while transmitting other wavelengths.

Light 2217 from light source 2219 is illuminated onto reflective surface2212 after passing through polarizer 2216, LCD pixels 2214, andpolarizer 2215. LCD pixels 2214 modulate the gray levels of lighttransmitted through polarizer 2215 and on to reflective surface 2212.This modulation of individual pixels forms an image. Some or all of thislight is reflected by reflectors 2212 at divergent angles back throughpolarizer 2215 and LCD pixels 2214. The size of the curved surfaces ofreflectors 2212 should be the same size or smaller as LCD pixels 2214.Each pixel is reflected in a diverging manner as if the light wasemanating from the reflective surface.

Optics and filters in contact lens 1501 enable the wearer to see theimage being reflected by reflective surface 2212 even though it isplaced very near to the wearer's eye.

In those embodiments where the reflective surface 2212 is a narrow bandRugate coating, only narrow bands of light from light source 2219 arereflected towards the viewer. Filter 1504 blocks the reflected lightfrom entering the pupil except through the aperture opening at thecenter of filter 1504. The light passing through this aperture issubstantially collimated by lenslet 1502 and passes through filter 1503before entering the pupil. From there, the eye's biological optics focusthe light onto the retina.

Optionally, narrow bandpass filter 2220 can be added to light source2219 so that only narrow bands of light are projected onto narrow bandreflectors 2211, thereby preventing any projected light from being seenby an observer.

Broadband light 2218 from the surrounding environment mostly passesthrough reflectors 2212 un-modified. Polarizer 2215 polarizes light 2218and LCD pixels 2214 alter this polarization orientation, withoutmodulating the intensity of light 2218. After passing through LCD pixels2214, light 2218 illuminates the eye 1500 and contact lens 1501. Sinceit is broadband light, it mostly passes through the narrow band spectralnotch filter 1504 and enters the pupil, where it is imaged onto theretina by the eye's biological optics. Light 2218 passing throughlenslet 1502 is blocked from entering the pupil by filter 1503.

In some embodiments, partial reflectors 2212 may be neutral filtersrather than narrow band spectral filters. In such embodiments, the light2217 is still a narrow band light. Some of this narrow band light 2217from light source 2219 is partially reflected by reflectors 2212 back tothe viewer's eye and is blocked from entering the pupil by RGB notchfilter 1504 except through the center aperture opening. The lightpassing through the center aperture opening is substantially collimatedby lenslet 1502 and passes through filter 1503. It then enters thepupil, where it is imaged onto the retina by the eye's biologicaloptics.

Some of light 2218 from the surrounding environment is transmitted throeh partial reflectors 2212 and illuminates the eye 1500 and contact lens1501. It passes through notch filter 1504 into the pupil, where it isimaged onto the retina by the eye's biological optics.

FIG. 23 illustrates an example configuration of a contact lens and anLCD panel that is side-illuminated through a light spreader inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 23, a viewer's eye 1500 is shown wearing a contact lens 1501 forviewing an LCD panel 2300 that is side-illuminated through a lightspreader 2315 while simultaneously viewing the surrounding ambient light2318 visible through the LCD display panel 2300.

Transparent substrate 2311 is etched or molded to have concave or convexsurfaces on one side. Partially reflective material is then depositedonto these surfaces to form partial reflectors 2312.

Light spreader 2315 is bonded to the first substrate 2311 by an opticaladhesive 2313 that is substantially of the same coefficient ofrefraction as substrates 2311 and 2315. Adhesive 2313 completely fillsthe voids between reflectors 2312 and substrate 2315.

The reflective panel is constructed of substrate 2311, reflectors 2312,adhesive 2313, and light spreader 2315 in such manner that the thicknessof panel 2300 is substantially uniform in thickness and substantiallyuniform in its coefficient of refraction. As a result, lighttransmitting through LCD panel 2300 passes through without anyrefraction. However, light reflected by reflectors 2312 is reflected atvarious angles due to the curved nature of reflectors 2312. This allowsa viewer to see the reflected light from multiple angles.

In some embodiments, partial reflectors 2312 may be constructed usingthin metallic films that are thin enough to transmit some light, yetthick enough to reflect some light. For example, aluminum having athicknesses ranging from 200 to 3000 angstroms could be used as itprovides various degrees of reflectivity versus transmission. In otherembodiments, partial reflectors 2312 may also be constructed bydepositing Rugate coatings onto substrate 2311. Rugate coatings can bemade to reflect certain wavelengths of light while transmitting otherwavelengths.

Light 2320 from light source 2319 is illuminated onto reflective surface2312 after passing through polarizer 2321 of a first polarization andbeing spread out uniformly by light spreader 2315. LCD pixels 2314modulate the gray levels of light transmitted through polarizer 2317.This modulation of individual pixels forms an image.

Optics and filters in contact lens 1501 enable the wearer to see theimage generated by LCD panel 2300 even though it is placed very near tothe wearer's eye.

In those embodiments where the reflective surface 2312 is a narrow bandRugate coating, only narrow bands of light from light source 2319 arereflected towards the viewer. In such embodiments, filter 1504 is anarrow band notch filter blocking the reflected light from entering thepupil except through the aperture opening at the center of filter 1504.The light passing through this aperture is substantially collimated bylenslet 1502 and passes through filter 1503 before entering the pupil.From there, the eye's biological optics focuses the light onto theretina.

Broadband light 2318 from the surrounding environment passes throughpolarizer 2316 of a second polarization and then mostly passes throughreflectors 2312 un-modified. Since light 2318 is now polarized to asecond polarization, LCD pixels 2314 modulate its gray levels in thenegative of the gray levels for light 2319. Thus, the bright pixels fromlight 2319 correspond to dim pixel of light 2318 and vice versa.

The pixel modulated light 2318 illuminates the eye 1500 and contact lens1501. Since it is broadband light, it mostly passes through the narrowband spectral notch filter 1504 and enters the pupil, where it is imagedonto the retina by the eye's biological optics. Light 2318 passingthrough lenslet 1502 is blocked from entering the pupil by filter 1503.

In some embodiments, partial reflectors 2312 may be neutral filtersrather than narrow band spectral filters. In such embodiments, the light2320 is still narrow band light. Some of this narrow band light 2320from light source 2319 is partially reflected by reflectors 2312 back tothe viewer's eye and is blocked from entering the pupil by RGB notchfilter 1504, except through the center aperture opening. The lightpassing through the center aperture opening is substantially collimatedby lenslet 1502 and passes through filter 1503. It then enters thepupil, where it is imaged onto the retina by the eye's biologicaloptics.

Some of light 2318 from the surrounding environment is transmittedthrough partial reflectors 2312 and illuminates the eye 1500 and contactlens 1501. It passes through notch filter 1504 into the pupil, where itis imaged onto the retina by the eye's biological optics.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample only, and not of limitation. Likewise, the various diagrams maydepict an example architectural or other configuration for theinvention, which is done to aid in understanding the features andfunctionality that can be included in the invention. The invention isnot restricted to the illustrated example architectures orconfigurations, but the desired features can be implemented using avariety of alternative architectures and configurations. Indeed, it willbe apparent to one of skill in the art how alternative functional,logical or physical partitioning and configurations can be implementedto implement the desired features of the present invention. Also, amultitude of different constituent module names other than thosedepicted herein can be applied to the various partitions. Additionally,with regard to flow diagrams, operational descriptions and methodclaims, the order in which the steps are presented herein shall notmandate that various embodiments be implemented to perform the recitedfunctionality in the same order unless the context dictates otherwise.

Although the invention is described above in terms of various exemplaryembodiments and implementations, it should be understood that thevarious features, aspects and functionality described in one or more ofthe individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to theparticular embodiment with which they are described, but instead can beapplied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the otherembodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments aredescribed and whether or not such features are presented as being a partof a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the presentinvention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplaryembodiments.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unlessotherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposedto limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” shouldbe read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like; the term“example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item indiscussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; the terms “a” or“an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more” or thelike; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,”“standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construedas limiting the item described to a given time period or to an itemavailable as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompassconventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may beavailable or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, wherethis document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known toone of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass thoseapparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in thefuture.

A group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read asrequiring that each and every one of those items be present in thegrouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly statedotherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or”should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, butrather should also be read as “and/or” unless expressly statedotherwise. Furthermore, although items, elements or components of theinvention may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural iscontemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to thesingular is explicitly stated.

The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “atleast,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instancesshall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or requiredin instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. The use of theterm “module” does not imply that the components or functionalitydescribed or claimed as part of the module are all configured in acommon package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of amodule, whether control logic or other components, can be combined in asingle package or separately maintained and can further be distributedin multiple groupings or packages or across multiple locations.

Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described interms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations.As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art afterreading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their variousalternatives can be implemented without confinement to the illustratedexamples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying descriptionshould not be construed as mandating a particular architecture orconfiguration.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display panel assembly, comprising: atransparent substrate that permits light to pass through substantiallyundistorted; a reflector disposed on the transparent substrate; and adisplay panel aimed toward the reflector and substantially away from ahuman visual system, wherein the reflector reflects light emitted fromthe display panel toward the human visual system.
 2. The display panelassembly of claim 1, wherein the reflector comprises a narrow bandreflector.
 3. The display panel assembly of claim 2, further comprisinga bandpass filter positioned adjacent to the display panel, wherein thebandpass filter limits bandwidths of light emitted from the displaypanel toward the narrow band reflector such that substantially no lightpasses through the narrow band reflector.
 4. The display panel assemblyof claim 2, further comprising a first polarization filter positionedadjacent to the transparent substrate on a side facing opposite thehuman visual system and a second polarization filter positioned adjacentto the display panel, wherein the second polarization filter limits thepolarity of light emitted from the display panel toward the narrow bandreflector and the first polarization filter such that substantially nolight passes through the first polarization filter.
 5. The display panelassembly of claim 1, wherein the reflector comprises a polarizationreflector.
 6. The display panel assembly of claim 5, further comprisinga polarization filter positioned adjacent to the display panel, whereinthe polarization filter limits the polarity of light emitted from thedisplay panel toward the polarization reflector such that substantiallyno light passes through the first polarization reflector.